Van, Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye
Travel guide

Van

Van is the largest city on Lake Van, a high-altitude sea of blue surrounded by mountains. Akdamar Island and its church, the old city of Van and the Van breakfast are the province's best-known experiences.

Eastern Anatolia 1,112,013 13 Districts

Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0

Why visit

Van

Van is the largest city on Lake Van, a high-altitude sea of blue surrounded by mountains. Akdamar Island and its church, the old city of Van and the Van breakfast are the province's best-known experiences.

Ulu CamiVan MüzesiVan KalesiToprakkaleYedi KiliseHoşap KalesiHorhor CamiiAyanis Kalesi
Verify before you travel

This guide covers all 81 provinces, the World Heritage sites, local food, transport, emergency numbers and the small details that make a trip easier. It is written for foreign visitors and built from public records, official indexes and original research.

Opening hours, prices and transport change. Confirm details with the official venue before you go.

Sources: Sources & credits

Civilizations of Anatolia

Civilizations

Local flavours

Tuzlu Balık · local specialtyKürt Köftesi · local specialtyHelise · local specialtyCılbır · local specialtyKeledoş · local specialty

Souvenirs and local products

Savatlı GümüşVan Otlu PeyniriVan BalıVan KilimiCeviz Ağacı Oymacılığı

Museums

Akdamar Anıt Müzesi / KilisesiVan Müzesi

Culture and living heritage

Nemrut Dağı EfsanesiManilerVan Halk OyunlarıVan Efsanesi

Outdoor activities

Rafting, Bahçesaray Müküs ÇayıSu Sporları, Edremit-Gebze Su Sporları MerkeziKar Kayağı, Gevaş Abalı Kayak MerkeziKuş Gözlemciliği, Erçek GölüBahçesaray Müküs ÇayıEdremit-Gebze Su Sporları MerkeziGevaş Abalı Kayak MerkeziErçek GölüVan Gölü
Culture Atlas

Culture Atlas

Legends, games, weddings, beliefs and everyday traditions recorded by the Türkiye Culture Portal.

Nemrut Dağı EfsanesiVan Halk OyunlarıVan EfsanesiMenşure Hanım TürküsüÇiğ Sütten Kaymak Olmaz TürküsüAkdamar EfsanesiDeniz Kızı EfsanesiTaşkapı

23 records · Names and links come from the Türkiye Culture Portal. Check the official page for current details.

Where to stay

Where to stay

63 accommodation options listed by OpenStreetMap.

Accommodation listed by the Culture Portal, alongside OpenStreetMap options.: 20 records.

Aliağa Apart OtelBüyük Urartu OteliBüyük Asur OteliAkdamar OteliÖzalp Grand OtelValerie Apart Otel
Getting there

Main airports serving the province

VAN
Van Ferit Melen Havalimanı · Tuşba
Practical information

Practical information

Emergency

  • Emergency · Ambulance112
  • Police155
  • Gendarmerie156
  • Fire110
  • Forest fire177
  • Tourism hotline176

Provincial Culture & Tourism Office

0432 280 17 00

iktm65@ktb.gov.tr

Save these numbers

Health & safety

  • Pharmacies228
  • Hospitals13
  • Police2
  • Taxi2

Post office

PTT · 444 1 788

Verify before you travel

Travel tips

  • Carry some cash for small villages, markets and taxis; cards work in most hotels and city restaurants.
  • Check museum and archaeological-site opening days before travelling; some close one day a week.
  • Book hot-air balloons, popular restaurants and summer ferries in advance, especially in high season.

Place names and indexes are compiled from the Türkiye Culture Portal, UNESCO, OpenStreetMap and public tourism sources.

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